Table of Contents
Cover Story:
Small Business is BIG Business
In Rockland, small businesses are the engine that drives the economy
RBD Round-Up:
How'd He Do That?
The interesting rise of Mal McLaren
RBD Business Survey
How do you communicate?
DEPARTMENTS:
Economic Round-Up
• The Smart Investor
Your portfolio is doing great, so why rebalance?
• Economic Viewpoint
The U.S. Attraction Factor
Business Round-Up
• Down, But Not Dirty
The best way to handle company layoffs is to provide options
• Marketing By Design
The top 15 campaigns of the last 100 years. You know them all, but why?
• Receivables
One of the largest headaches for small businesses
Ask The Experts
• Talking Taxes
• Payroll: Key Issues
• Workplace Hotline
Invest in Your Community
• Where's the Fire?
Rockland Volunteers - increasing efforts and awareness
Odds & Ends
• The Last Minute
• Rockland Newsmakers
Dedicated Section:
Rockland Business Association:
The President’s Desk
New Healthcare Tax
will hurt small and midsized businesses. Here's how.
RBA/United Way Golf Outing
The Rockland Open: Monday, May 21st
RBA Happenings
• Committee and Council Info
• Calendar of Events
• New Members
Rockland Newsmakers:
Ever pressed for time?
Silly question. With Rockalnd Newsmakers, your lack of time doesn't matter. Read up and find out who's who and what's what in Rockland County in the time it takes to have a few sips from your morning cup of coffee.
NEW CLIENT FOR HVTDC: The not-for-profit Hudson Valley Technology Development Center in Fishkill, has welcomed the 901D, LLC and Shock Tech Inc. manufacturing firms in Tallman, as a new client. HVTDC works with manufacturing, technology-based and other small to mid-sized companies and organizations to help them adopt new business practices in order to grow. Their goal is to help companies and organizations work more efficiently, effectively and profitably by streamlining daily operations. while searching the Web for ways to implement Lean Manufacturing principles into the company’s day-to-day operations.
THE GIFT IS IN THE GIVING: The Provident Bank Charitable Foundation is now accepting applications for the 2007 Community Involvement Scholarship Program. The foundation will award $1,500 scholarships to local high school seniors demonstrating an outstanding commitment to community service. Applicants must be high school seniors in Rockland, Orange, Ulster, Sullivan or Putnam Counties in New York or Bergen County in New Jersey and must have completed a minimum of 40 hours of community service over the past two years of high school. To be eligible, applicants must plan to attend a college located in Rockland, Orange, Ulster, Sullivan, Putnam or Bergen Counties.
“The Community Involvement Scholarship Program is an excellent opportunity for local high school students who have worked toward the betterment of the community to be rewarded for their admirable and dedicated efforts,” said George Strayton, President and Chief Executive Officer of Provident Bank.
The Community Involvement Scholarship Program has awarded more than $100,000 to local students since its inception in 1992. The application deadline was May 1, 2007 and scholarship winners will be notified in June 2007. Students can obtain an application at any Provident Bank branch or from their high school guidance counselor. For more information, call 369-8040.
APPOINTMENT IS ACADEMIC: Moisés Jiménez has been appointed as the new Director of Academic Development at St. Thomas Aquinas College, announced Dr. Norman Puffett, Director of Academic Services. “We are delighted that Mr. Jiménez has joined our academic services team here at the College. His impressive background in the area of student development will serve him well as he works with our students in the Higher Education Opportunity Program and our Center for Academic Excellence. Our students will benefit from his experience,” said Dr. Puffett. Jiménez received a bachelor’s degree in Government and Politics and a master’s degree in Public Administration from St. John’s University (NY). After receiving his bachelor’s degree, he began working for St. John’s Higher Education Opportunity Program as a counselor and was ultimately promoted to Assistant Director.
BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME: Nearly 800 high school students from Rockland, Westchester, Orange and Putnam counties attended this year’s Hudson Valley Construction Career Day in March at the Rockland Community College Field House in Suffern. The Hudson Valley Construction Career Day is staged to educate high school students about rewarding and diverse career opportunities in the building and construction trades and attract youth to careers in the industry. Live demonstrations of various craft union activities, including plumbing, welding, masonry, carpentry and metal work, were presented at this event.
RADER APPOINTED VP AT NYACK HOSPITAL: Michael E. Rader, M.D., was recently appointed Vice President & Medical Director. Dr. Rader is a senior attending physician at Nyack Hospital and the President and senior physician of Hematology-Oncology Associates of Rockland, P.C., and a specialty practice with six physicians. Since 1999, he has served as the Clinical Director of the Union State Bank Cancer at Nyack Hospital. Dr. Rader was instrumental in the planning and clinical program design for the Center; its affiliation with the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center of Columbia University; establishment of weekly tumor board conferences to improve patient care; and development of an active clinical trials program that brings advanced drugs and therapies to cancer patients. In 2005, the Cancer Center was one of only 9% of programs surveyed to receive the Outstanding Achievement Award from the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer. In this role, Dr Rader will provide strategic leadership for the Nyack Hospital medical staff, with particular emphasis on clinical program development, and serve as the hospital’s senior representative regarding clinical affairs and policies.
GREATER HAVERSTRAW CHAMBER GETS NEW PRESIDENT: Carmen M. Di Biase, a long-time officer and board member, has been appointed Acting President of The Greater Haverstraw Chamber of Commerce. A committed proponent of revitalization, DiBiase will work closely with the Board of Directors and with the members of the Chamber to continue the organization’s strong support of business and employment throughout Haverstraw, Stony Point, and the entire North Rockland area.
In the years since Ms. Di Biase first joined the Chamber, membership has increased to more than 175 businesses and individuals. Membership events include Networking Breakfasts and After-Hours social events at which members meet and exchange ideas. Attendance at these events is not limited to Chamber members.
ARTS COUNCIL GAINS A NEW MEMBER: Union State Bank recently announced that Bridget Fenton, marketing communications and public relations specialist, joined the Board of Directors for the Arts Council of Rockland (“ACOR”). Ms. Fenton joined Union State Bank in 2003 as an intern in the marketing department before entering the Bank’s management associates training program. Upon completion of the program in 2005, she joined the marketing department as a marketing communications and public relations specialist. In her current position, Ms. Fenton is responsible for all public relations activities as well as corporate communications, including both the company and employee newsletter. In addition to her most recent appointment, Ms. Fenton also serves on the Alumni Board of St. Thomas Aquinas College as a class representative and is a member of the United Way Steering Committee at the Bank.
SUPPORT GROUPS FORMING: United Hospice of Rockland (UHR) offers a variety of support groups for those who are experiencing the grief that results from loss. UHR bereavement groups focus on working through the intense feelings that accompany the death of a loved one, to learn about loss and the grieving process and to offer and receive support and understanding. UHR support groups and bereavement programs are held in the Provident Bank Hope & Healing Center, 11 Stokum Lane (off South Main Street), New City and are supported in part by The Jeffrey David Walerstein Fund for Bereavement. Call 634-4974 to Register.
NEW RESOURCE CENTER LAUNCHED: The Rockland County Office for the Aging launched a Resource Center that will provide information about long-term care insurance, including coverage available through the state-sponsored Partnership for Long-Term Care.
“The Long-Term Care Insurance Resource Center will provide information on how long-term care insurance can help protect a family’s financial security and give peace of mind,” said June Molof, Director of the Rockland County Office for the Aging.
Counselors at the Resource Center are now available to give presentations about long-term care insurance to clubs and organizations. They also are available to provide individual counseling at their office in Pomona. To schedule a presentation or individual counseling session, you can contact the Long-Term Care Insurance Resource Center at (845) 364-2102.
ZUGIBE SPEAKS AT NRBA OPEN HOUSE: The North Rockland Businesses Alliance, NRBA, held an open house on April 12, 2007 to introduce itself to North Rockland businesses and residents. The featured speaker that evening was the NRBA’s counsel, Thomas P. Zugibe, Esq., former West Haverstraw Village judge, Vice Chairman of the Rockland Economic Development Corp., and candidate for Rockland County District Attorney.
With the mission of “putting the ‘unity’ in ‘community,’” the NRBA was formed to give North Rockland businesses and residents an opportunity to join together to tackle issues that affect their businesses and the overall quality of life in the North Rockland community. The North Rockland Business Alliance is a New York not-for-profit corporation. Membership is open to businesses and residents in the towns of Haverstraw and Stony Point and the villages of Haverstraw, West Haverstraw, Garnerville, Thiells, Mt. Ivy, Pomona and Tomkins Cove. For further information, please call 845-942-4474 or send an email message to NRockBA@aol.com.
If you would like to include news about your company or client in an upcoming issue of Rockland Newsmakers, please forward your articles and releases, including any photos, to: newsmakers@rbdigest.com.
